Globe support and orienting means



Oct. 25, 1960 2,957,252

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR. Mum 14. P41

BY adv/W rmy/vars Oct. 25, 1960 w. A. PAIN GLOBE SUPPORT AND ORIENTINGMEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 11, 1959 INVENTOR.

MLL/AM 14. PHI Y ,4 rr'OpNEYS Oct. 25, 1960 w. A. PAIN 2,957,252

GLOBE SUPPORT AND ORIENTING MEANS Filed Dec. 11, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IINVENTOR.

W LL/4m Xi. PAIN ,4 rroe/ve vs GLGBE surronr AND ORIENTING MEANS WilliamA. Pain, 343 E. 51st St, New York, N.Y.

Filed Dec. 11, 1959, Ser. No. 859,040

11 Claims. CI. 3546) This invention relates to a globe support andorienting means suitable for supporting and orienting a relativelyheavy, large diameter sphere.

Spheres, in particular globes representing the earth, are advantageouslyemployed for many different purposes. The smaller of these globes, suchas are used in libraries or homes, are usually mounted so that they maybe manually rotated about either a horizontal or a vertical axis inorder to expose a particular portion of the earths surface to theviewer.

The variety of globe mounts which find such widespread use inconjunction with the relatively small globes described above, usuallysupport the sphere from two fixed points, the poles, and are eminentlyunsuited for use with large spheres having diameters of the order of sixfeet or more and weighing a few hundred pounds. Because of their largeweight and diameter, special supporting and orienting devices must bedesigned for these large globes in order to rotate them about axes otherthan the polar axis.

The problem of supporting and orienting large size spheres withoutobstructing the polar regions, becomes even more difficult in theinstance of the so-called basrelief globes. As is well known, thesurface contour of these globes is representative of the elevation abovesea level of the earths surface. Since has-relief globes are generallyfabricated from materifls which do not possess relatively highcompression strength, improper supporting and orienting means may resultin partial distortion of the extended portions of the globe surface.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a globesupport and orienting means which is suitable for use with relativelyheavy, large diameter has-relief globes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a globe supportand orienting means which can be automatically operated to orient thesupported globe in a desired position.

Briefly stated, the device of the present invention comprises a base,supporting means attached .to said base and equipped with a plurality ofspring loaded universally rotatable means which collectively serve assupports upon which a globe may rest, a wheel rotatable about asubstantially horizontal axis mounted below the supported globe andvertically movable into frictional engagement therewith, said wheel alsobeing rotatable about a substantially vertical axis.

Other objects and features of this invention will be readily apparentfrom the following specification taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a globe support positioner in accordancewith this invention with a globe mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the globe support positioner ofFig. 1 depicting the manner in which the globe may be oriented;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the globe support nited StatesPatent Gi 2&51252 Patented Get. 25, 1&6

positioner of Fig. 1 depicting its use as a support means y;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view partly in section of the globe supportpositioner of Fig. l, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the globe support positioner of Fig. 1.

With reference now to the drawings, Fig. 1 depicts globe it supported bya plurality of spring-loaded universally rotatable means, for examplespring-loaded casters 11. Casters 11 are fastened to ring 12 which inturn is rigidly connected to base 13 by structural members 14.

A wheel 15 with an easily compressible surface such as a pneumatic tireis keyed to a horizontally disposed axle 16. The journals of axle 16 areengaged in vertically movable bearings 17. Each of bearings 17 is fittedwith flanges 18 adapted to receive vertical guides 19 mounted on bases21. Compression springs 20 are disposed between the respective bearings17 and the respective bases 21 of guides 19, to provide a biasing forcein the upward direction.

Axle 16 is keyed to gear 45 which in turn is coupled to reversiblerotary power means, for example electric motor 36, through chain 37,gear 44, and gear reducer 46. Thus, rotation of wheel 15 in the desireddirection is accomplished by energizing motor 36 appropriately. Theelectrical wiring of motor 36 is conventional and is not shown in thedrawings.

Lever arm assembly 22 provides the movement necessary to frictionallyengage wheel 15 with globe 19. One end of lever arm 23 is in the shapeof a yoke comprising members 24 and 25. Members 24 and 25 are eachrotatably connected to one of the bearings 17. A point 26 intermediatethe ends of lever arm 23 is pivotally con nected to support 27. Theother end of lever arm 23 is pivotally connected to screw 28. Screw 28is in threaded engagement with nut 29 which is prevented by -means, notshown, from moving in a vertical direction.

The upper portion of nut 2% is provided with beveled gear teeth and isengaged with bevel gear 30. Gear 30 is fastened to shaft 31 which inturn is attached to gear 32. Gear 32 is coupled by a chain drive toreversible rotary power means, for example, motor 33 through gear 34fastened to the rotor 35 thereof. The electric wiring of motor 33 isconventional and is not shown in the drawings.

Lever arm assembly 22 and wheel 15 and associated driving equipment areattached to turntable 38 which rotates independently of base 13.Turntable 38 is caused to rotate by reversible rotary energy source suchas electric motor 39 attached to base 13. Electric motor 39 is coupledto turntable 38 through gear 45, chain it? and gear ll. The electricwiring for motor 39 is conventional and is not shown.

The operation of the inventive globe support and orienting means may bereadily understood from the following description. in the normal orsupporting position the full weight of globe it) is supported by theplurality of casters 11. This condition is shown in Fig. 3. To orientthe globe to a new desired position, wheel 15 is raised to bring it intofrictional engagement with the surface of globe iii. To this end motor33 is energized. By virtue of the gearing arrangement depicted in Fig.5, nut 29 is caused to rotate. The rotation of nut 29 in the appropriatedirection causes screw 28 to move in a downward direction. Since the endof lever arm 23 which is attached to screw 28 is moving in a downwarddirection the opposite end of lever arm 23 is caused to move in anupward direction. In this manner wheel 15 may be brought into frictionalengagement with the surface of sphere it). This condition is depicted inFig. 2 of the drawings. Compression springs 29 are preferably designedso that a minimum of force is needed to steering wheel of a movingautomobile.

frictionally engage wheel 15 with globe 10. This is discussed in greaterdetail below.

With wheel 15 in frictional engagement with globe 10, a new orientationabout a horizontal axis may be attained by energizing motor 36 which iscoupled to wheel 15. Clearly, the rotation of wheel 15 will producerotation of globe 10 in the opposite direction.

It is essential for proper operation of the present globe orientingmeans'that wheel partially support globe 10. This is necessitated byconsideration of two factors which are equally important. Firstly, inthe normal'or supporting position, the entire weight of globe 10 issupported by casters 11. Under such conditions there is a very largefrictional force between the surface of globe 10 and the respectiveWheels of casters 11 which tend to prevent globe 19 from rotating. Thissituation is remedied'by elevating wheel 15 until it shares with casters11 the burden of supporting globe 10.

Secondly, in order to impart movement to globe 10 through wheel15without substantial slippage, it is necessary that there be sufficientfrictional drag between wheel 15 and the surface of globe 10 to overcomethe inertia of the' heavy globe. This requirement is also met if wheel15 partially supports globe 10.

To prevent raising wheel 15 to an excessive elevation limit switch42,"shown in Figure 4, is provided. This switch is electricallyconnected, by means not shown, in the energizing circuit of motor 33.

7 With wheel 15 in frictional engagement with the surface -of globe 10,as shown in Figure 2, the globe 10 may be rotated about a horizontalaxis by causing wheel 15 to rotate. In most instances, however, thistype of control will be' insuflicient to provide the exact orientationdesired. Accordingly, means have been provided to rotate wheel 15 abouta vertical axis. As shown in Figure 5,

motor 39 is' coupled to gear 41 through chain 40. Gear 41 is in fact anintegral part of turntable 38. Thus by energizing motor 39, turntable 38and all equipment attached thereto may be caused to rotate about avertical axis. Such rotation, of course, is independent of base 13. Theresult of rotating turntable 3 8 simultaneously with the rotation ofwheel 15 about axle 16 may be best described by reference to theoperation of an automobile. As is well known, considerable difliculty isexperienced in turning the front wheels of an automobilewhen the car isstationary. Relating this situation to the present one, it is noted thatit would be difficult to cause globe 10 to rotate about a vertical axisby rotation of turntable 38 if wheel 15 is not rotating about axle 16.On the other hand, very little resistance is encountered in turning theV The rotation of the steering wheel of a moving automobile causes thecar to move in a direction determined by the direction of the frontwheels. Similarly globe 10 may be readily rotated about a vertical axisprovided it is also rotating about a horizontal axis as a result of therotation of wheel 15 about axle 15. Thus by a combination of rotatingmeans, namely, turntable 38 and wheel 15, globe 10 may be simultaneouslyrotated about both horizontal and vertical axes.

Following orientation of the globe as described above, motor 33 isenergized in a manner causing it to rotate in the opposite direction,which in turn causes screw 28 to move upwards thereby disengaging wheel15 from the surface of globe 10. Limit switch 43 is connected in theenergizing circuit of motor 33, by means not shown, to prevent excessivedownward movementof wheel 15.

Base 13 may be provided with wheels or casters 44 to assist in movingthe globe support positioner.

The two features of the globe support and orienting means whichfacilitate its use with has-relief globes are the use of an easilycompressible medium, such as a pneumatic tire, to transmit motion, andsecondly the use of spring-loaded universally rotating means, suchascasters or ball hearings, to support the globe. The easilycompressible medium such as the pneumatic tire employed in theparticular apparatus described above with yield to the elevated portionsof the has-relief globe so that contact between such portions and thetire does not tend to flatten such elevated portions. The advantages ofthis type of power transmission are more readily appreciated bycomparison with a hard surface medium which clearly would tend toflatten the delicate elevated areas of the has-relief globe.

Equally important as a means of protecting the elevated portions of ahas-relief globe are the spring-loaded supporting means. As the globe isrotating in the positioner the elevated portions will, from time totime, come into direct contact with one or more of the spring-loadedsupports. The use of compression springs in the structure of thesesupports permits the one or two which are in contact with the elevatedportions of the has-relief globe to yield by retracting sufliciently topermit the elevated portions to pass thereunder; Eliminationof thespringloading feature from these supporting means would essentiallyplace a large amount of strain on the elevated portions of the globewhich are in contact with the supporting meansthereby tending to flattenor distort such areas. 7

In connection with the use of spring-loaded supporting means, such ascasters, it is noted that there is a preferred direction of orientationfor the spring-loaded shafts thereof. There will be least frictionaldrag on the reciprocal motion of the spring-loaded casters if they arepositioned so that the force tending to compress the spring is parallelwith the longitudinal axis of the spring. The force vector resultingfrom the support of the globe by the casters will originate from thepoint of contact between the caster wheel and the globe surface and willbe in fact an extension of the radius of the globe which intersects thesurface of the globe at the point of contact between the caster wheel ofthe globe surface. 'Accordingly friction is minimized by mounting thecasters so that each of the shafts and the compression spring used inconjunction therewith is an extension in space of the radius of theglobe which intersects the surface of the globe at the point of contactbetween the caster wheel and the globe surface.

It is to be understood that the specific example described above 'ismerely illustrative of the present invention. Component parts which haveequivalent functions may be substituted for the structural and operatingparts of the described apparatus by one skilled in the art withoutdeparting from-the spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A globe support and orienting means'comprising a base, supportingmeans attached to said base and equipped with a plurality ofspring-loaded universally. rotatable means which collectively serve asSupports upon which a globe may rest, a vertically movable wheelrotatable about a substantially horizontal axis mounted below thesupported globe, said wheel also being rotatable about a substantiallyvertical axis, means for raising said wheel into frictional engagementwith said supported globe, and means for rotating said wheel about saidaxes.

2. The globe support and orienting means of claim 1 in which theperipheral surface of said wheel is easily compressible. 1

3. A globe support and orienting means comprising a base, supportingmeans attached'to said base and equipped with a plurality ofspring-loaded casters which collectively serve as supports upon which aglobe may rest, a vertically movable wheel rotatable about asubstantially horizontal axis mounted below the supported globe, saidwheel also being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, meansfor raising said wheel into frictional engagement with said supportedglobe, and means for rotating means attached to saidbase .andequippedwith aplurality of spring-loaded casters which collectively serve assupports upon which said glove rests, a vertically movable wheel havingan easily compressible peripheral surface and rotatable about asubstantially horizontal axis mounted below the supported globe, saidwheel also being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, meansfor raising said wheel into frictional engagement with said supportedglobe, and means for rotating said wheel about said axes. I V

5. A globe support and orienting means comprising a base, supportingmeans attached to said base and equipped with a plurality ofspring-loaded universally rotatable means which collectively serve assupports upon which a globe may rest, a turntable rotatable about asubstantially vertical axis attached to said base, said turntable beingbelow said supporting means, a vertically movable wheel rotatable abouta substantially horizontal axis mounted on the said turntable, theperipheral surface of said wheel being easily compressible, meansmounted on said turntable for raising said wheel into frictionalengagement with said supported globe, means mounted on said turntablefor rotating said wheel about said horizontal axis, and means attachedto said base for rotating said turntable about said vertical axis.

6. A globe support and orienting means comprising a base, a ringattached to said base and mounted in a substantially horizontal plane,said ring being equipped with a plurality of spring-loaded casters whichcollectively may serve as supports for a globe, a turntable rotatableabout a substantially vertical axis attached to said base, saidturntable being below said ring, means attached to said base forrotating said turntable about said vertical axis, a vertically movablewheel rotatable about a substantially horiozntal axis mounted on thesaid turntable, means for rotating said wheel about said horizontal axisand means for raising said wheel into frictional engagement with saidsupported globe.

7. A globe support and orienting means comprising a base, a ringattached to said base and mounted in a substantially horizontal plane,said ring being equipped with a plurality of spring-loaded casters whichcollectively may serve as supports for a globe, a turntable rotatableabout a substantially vertical axis attached to said base, saidturntable being below said ring, means attached to said base forrotating said turntable about said vertical axis, a wheel having aneasily compressible peripheral surface keyed to a horizontal axle eachjournal of which is engaged in a vertically movable bearing, the saidvertically movable bearings each having flanges adapted to receivevertical columns which serve to guide the vertical movement of saidbearings, means for rotating said axle, and means for raising said wheelinto frictional engagement with said supported globe comprising a leverarm one end of which is rotatably attached to said bearings and theother end of which is rotatably attached to a jack means, said lever armbeing pivotally connected to a point intermediate its ends so thatvertical movement of the said jack means results in an opposite verticalmovement of said bearings.

8, A globe support and orienting means comprising a base, a ringattached to said base and mounted in a substantially horizontal plane,said ring being equipped with a plurality of spring-loaded casters whichcollectively may serve as supports for a globe, said casters having anorientation so that each of the shafts thereof is an extension in spaceof the globe radius which intersects the surface of the globe at thepoint of contact between the caster wheel and the globe surface, aturntable rotatable about a substantially vertical axis attached to saidbase, said turntable being below said ring, means attached to said basefor rotating said turntable about said vertical axis, a wheel keyed to ahorizontal axle each journal of which is engaged in a vertically movablebearing, said vertically movable bearings each having flanges adapted toreceive vertical columns which serve to guide the vertical movement ofsaid bearings, means for rotating said axle, and means for raising saidwheel into frictional engagement with said globe comprising a lever armone end of which is rotatably attached to said bearings and the otherend of which is rotatably attached to a jack means, said lever arm beingpivotally connected at a point intermediate its ends so that verticalmovement of the said jack means results in an opposite vertical movementof said bearings.v V

9. A globe support and orienting means comprising a base, a ringattached to said base and mounted in a substantially horizontal plane,said ring being equipped with a plurality of spring-loaded casters whichcollectively may serve as supports for a globe, said casters having anorientation so that each of the shafts thereof is an extension in spaceof the globe radius which intersects the surface of the globe at thepoint of contact between the caster Wheel and the globe surface, aturntable rotatable about a substantially vertical axis attached to saidbase, said turntable being in a horizontal plane below said ring, afirst reversible rotary power means attached to said base and coupled tosaid turntable so that said turntable may be rotated about said verticalaxis, a pneumatic wheel keyed to a horizontal axle each journal of whichis engaged in a vertical movable bearing, said vertical moving bearingseach having flanges adapted to receive two vertical columns which serveto guide the vertical movement of said bearings, compression springsdisposed on said vertical columns below said vertical movable bearingsso that said bearings are biased in an upward direction, a secondreversible rotary power means attached to said turntable and coupled tosaid axle so that said wheel may be rotated, and means for raising saidwheel into frictional engagement with said globe comprishg a lever armone end of which is in the shape of a yoke and is rotatably attached tosaid bearings, the other end of said lever arm is rotatably attached tothe upper end of a vertically disposed threaded shaft which is inthreaded engagement with a rotatable nut coupled to a third reversiblerotary power means, said lever arm being pivotally connected at a pointintermediate its ends so that vertical movement of the said threadedshaft results in an opposite vertical movement of said bearings.

10. A globe support positioner comprising a base, a ring attached tosaid base and mounted in a substantially horizontal plane, said ringhaving mounted thereon at spaced intervals a plurality of spring-loadedcasters which collectively may serve as supports for a globe, saidcasters having an orientation so that each of the shafts thereof is anextension in space of the globe radius which intersects the surface ofthe globe at the point of contact between the caster wheel and the globesurface, a turntable rotatable about a substantially vertical axisattached to said base, said turntable being in a horizontal plane belowsaid ring, a first reversible electric motor attached to said base andcoupled to said turntable so that said turntable may be rotated aboutsaid vertical axis, a pneumatic wheel keyed to a horizontal axle eachjournal of which is engaged in a vertical movable bearing, the saidvertical moving bearings each having flanges adapted to receive twovertical columns which serve to guide the vertical movement of saidbearings, compression springs disposed on said vertical columns belowsaid vertical movable bearing so that said bearings are biased in anupward direction, a second reversible electric motor attached to saidturntable and coupled to said axle so that said wheel may be rotated,and means for raising said wheel into frictional engagement with theglobe comprising a lever arm one end of which is in the shape of a yokeand is rotatably attached to said bearings, the other end of said leverarm is rotatably attached to the upper end of a vertically disposedthreaded shaft which is in threaded engagement with a rotatable nutcoupled to a third reversible electric motor, said lever arm beingpivotally connected at a point intermediate its ends so that verticalmovement of the said threaded shaft results in an opposite verticalmovement of saidbearings, two electric lining switches beingappropriatelydispos'edjto prevent excessive upward and down wardmovementof said'bearin'gs.

11. In combination, a has-relief globe and a globe-sup port positionercomprising a base, a ring attached to said base and mounted ina'substantially horizontal plane, said ring'having mounted thereon atspaced intervals a plurality of spring-loaded casters which collectivelyserve as supports for said'globe, said casters having an orientation sothat each .of the shafts thereof is an extension in space of the globeradius which intersects the surface of the globe at the point" ofcontact between the caster wheel and the globesurface, a turntablerotatable about a substantially vertical axis attached to said base,said turntable being in' a horizontal plane below said ring, a firstreversible electric motor attached to said base and coupled to saidturntable so that-said turntable may be rotted about said vertical axis,a pneumatic wheel keyed to a horizontal axle each journal of which isengaged in a vertical movable bearing, the said vertical moving bearingswhich have flanges adapted to receive two vertical columns which serveto guide the vertical movement of said bearings, compression springsdisposed on said vertical columns below said vertical movable bearing sothat said bearings are biased in an upward direction, a secondreversible electric motor attached to said turntable and coupled to saidaxle so that said wheel may be-rotated, and means for raising said wheelintofrictional engagement with the globe comprising a lever arm one endof which is in the'shape of'a yoke and isrotatably attached to saidbearings, the other end of said lever arm is rotatably attached to theupper end of a vertically disposed threaded shaft which is in threadedengagement with a rotatable nut coupled to a third reversible electricmotor, said lever arm being pivotallyconnected at a point intermediateits ends so that vertical movement of the said' threaded shaft resultsin an opposite vertical movement of said bearings, two electric liningswitches being appropriately disposed to prevent excessive upward anddownward movement of said bearings;

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,079,358 Noyes Nov. 25, 1913 1,920,263 Langbein Aug. 1, 1933 2,483,932Powell Oct. 4, 1949 2,911,739 Parry Nov. 10, 1959 OTHER REFERENCESPopularScience Magazine, November 1944, page 131'.

